The requirements set forth in this section shall govern the location and construction of all wireless communications facilities governed by this chapter.
A. Regulatory Compliance: All wireless communication facilities must meet or exceed current standards and regulations of FAA, the FCC, and other local, state or federal agencies with the authority to regulate facilities governed by this chapter. The owner of the facility must demonstrate that the facility is constructed, operated, and maintained in compliance with applicable standards. This must be shown through a completed inspection process or certification by an appropriate regulatory agency.
B. Setbacks: Antenna support structures must be set back from all property lines, road rights of way and other easements, a distance equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the height of the structure. Accessory structures must maintain a minimum of twenty feet (20') from all property lines. Alternative setbacks may be approved only where it can be clearly demonstrated that the proposed facility has no safety implications for adjacent properties and easements.
C. Fencing: A chainlink or solid wood fence, or masonry wall at least six feet (6') in height (8 feet if razor or barbed wire is to be used) shall be constructed and maintained around the perimeter of the antenna support structure site. Climb proof shields can be substituted for a fence or wall around the structure. Solid fences, at least six feet (6') in height are required adjacent to residential areas.
D. Lighting: Antenna support structures shall not be artificially lighted unless required by the FAA or other local, state, or federal agency. If the FAA requires safety lighting, the use of red beacons is preferred to flashing strobe lights. Security lighting on site may be mounted up to twenty feet (20') high on the tower, and shall be directed towards the ground to reduce light pollution, prevent off site light spillage, and avoid illuminating the tower. Cut off security lighting must be used adjacent to residential uses. When incorporated into the approved design of the facility, light fixtures used to illuminate sports fields, parking lots, or similar areas may be included in the facility.
E. Signage: Signage shall be limited to nonilluminated warning and equipment identification signs.
F. Colocation:
1. Antenna support structures should be designed in all respects to accommodate both the applicant's antennas and antennas for at least two (2) additional comparable antennas if the antenna support structure is over one hundred feet (100') in height or for at least one additional comparable antenna if the tower is between fifty (50) and one hundred feet (100') in height.
2. All new antennas must colocate on existing or approved antenna support structures or alternative antenna support structures unless it can be demonstrated colocation is not feasible as follows:
a. No existing towers or structures are located within the geographic area required to meet the applicant's engineering requirements.
b. Existing towers or structures are not of sufficient height to meet the applicant's engineering requirements.
c. Existing towers or structures do not have sufficient structural strength to support the applicant's proposed antenna and related equipment, and cannot be reinforced to provide sufficient strength.
d. The applicant's proposed antenna would cause electromagnetic interference with the antenna on the existing tower or structure, or the antennas on the existing towers and structures would cause interference with the applicant's proposed antenna.
e. The fees or costs required to share an existing tower or structure, or to adapt an existing tower or structure for colocation are unreasonable. Costs below new tower development are presumed reasonable.
f. Property owners, or owners of existing towers or structures, are unwilling to accommodate the applicant's needs.
g. The applicant clearly demonstrates that there are other limiting factors that render existing towers and structures unsuitable.
G. Maintenance:
1. Equipment at a wireless communication facility shall be automated to the greatest extent possible to reduce traffic and congestion.
2. All property used for the siting of an antenna support structure or antenna shall be maintained, without expense to the city, so as to be safe, orderly, attractive, and in conformity with city codes including those regarding the removal of weeds, trash, and landscape maintenance.
H. Visual Impact/Aesthetics:
1. Scenic Viewsheds And Historic/Cultural Resources: Facilities shall not create an unreasonable adverse visual impact on any public park, natural resource area or historic/cultural site. In determining the potential adverse impact of the proposed facility upon such areas, the city council shall consider the following factors:
a. The extent to which the proposed facility is visible from or impacts the visual integrity of the impacted resource, and
b. Reasonable alternatives that allow the facility to function consistently with its purpose.
2. Wireless communication facilities shall be compatible with the architectural style of the surrounding environment considering exterior materials, roof form, scale, mass, color, texture, and character. Equipment enclosures shall be located, painted and/or screened to be visually compatible with the surrounding built and/or natural environment.
3. All facilities shall be designed to blend into the surrounding environment to the greatest extent possible. The following measures shall be implemented:
a. Screening and landscaping appropriate to the context of the site and in harmony with the character of the surrounding environment.
b. Existing vegetation and grades on the site shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible.
4. Roof mounted antennas, antenna support structures, and other facilities shall not add more than fifteen feet (15') to the total height of the building on which they are mounted. Roof mounted equipment shall be made visually unobtrusive to match existing air conditioning units, stairs, elevator towers, or other architectural elements. Only monopole antenna support structures with omnidirectional (whip) or low profile single directional (panel) shall be installed on building roofs. Examples of acceptable designs are shown in subsection J of this section.
I. Communication Facilities Spacing Requirements: All antenna support structures over fifty feet (50') in height, shall be located at least five thousand feet (5,000') from any other antenna support structures located within an approved wireless communication facility.
Exceptions to the spacing requirements may be granted by the governing body during the special review process when it is found that no existing or approved antenna support structure within the required separation distance of the proposed site can accommodate the applicant's proposed antenna or a critical need exists for the proposed location and it is technically infeasible to locate or colocate structures at or beyond the required separation distance.
J. Illustrated Examples:
1. Alternative Antenna Support Structures:
2. Antenna Support Structures:
3. Roof Mounted Antenna Support Structures And Antennas:
(Ord. 2003-02, 2-18-2003)